MTV VMAs 2012: Rihanna gets groped by rapper A$AP Rocky

He's a real Rude Boy! Rihanna gets more than she bargained for as rapper A$AP Rocky gropes her on stage at the VMAs

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UPDATED:

15:27 GMT, 7 September 2012

In the history of the MTV Video Music Awards no opening performance is complete without a little bit of controversy.

And stepping up to the plate this year Rihanna offered her services as she gave the first live set at the 2012 ceremony yesterday (Thursday) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Debuting her latest single Cockiness (Love It) with the help of up and coming rapper A$AP Rocky, the 24-year-old songstress was left blushing after he gave her a little more than she bargained for.

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Red hot! Rihanna sizzled as she gave the opening performance during last night's MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with the help of rapper A$AP Rocky

Taking to the stage in a fiery ensemble, Rihanna got the audience up out of their seats with the Bangladesh produced track taken from her album Talk That Talk.

The Barbados showing was made up of a lot of crotch-grabbing moves and plenty fierce glances as she seduced the crowd.

Helping Rihanna to give a performance to remember, American rapper and music director A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, jumped on stage to deliver his verse which features on the remix of her red hot mid-tempo single.

Lost in the music: American rapper A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, groped Rihanna's bottom and applied kisses to her neck as he joined her on stage to perform her new single Cockiness

You can look but you can't touch: The 24-year-old singer simply laughed off the rapper's actions

Lost in the moment, the 23-year-old rapper simply couldn't resist Rihanna's charm and planted a few tender kisses on her neck as she pulled him in close.

But giving her as reason to the blush, the cheeky Harlem born lyricist then upped the ant when he groped the Rude Boy singer's derrire.

Surprised, a giddy Rihanna simply pushed him away and got on with the rest of her performance.

All smiles: The Harlem born rapper couldn't stop smiling as he joined the Bajan beauty on stage

Watch The Throne: The fiery set began with the songstress sitting behind a giant snake head

Lady in red: Rihanna wore a pair of red leather trousers with a sheer top and turban-style headscarf

Rihanna heated up the venue in a floor length sheer red top which she teamed with a pair of skintight leather trousers, a head wrap and black trainers.

She accessorised with several pieces of gold jewellery and belted out her songs using a gold topped microphone.

A lashing of dark lipstick and black sunglasses finished off her sultry look.

Giving them a show to remember: Rihanna offered a mash-up of Cockiness and her number one single We Found Love

With her Navy: The singer jumped into the crowd as she closed her show to have a little dance with fans

Chart-topping DJ Calvin Harris then dropped the beat of their number one single We Found Love causing the arena to erupt.

Sharing her epic offering with her fans, Rihanna jumped into the audience where she partied away with them for the remainder of her set.

Happy with the way the show went, the singer tweeted: '@asvpxrocky @calvinharris thank you guys for helping me put my opening together! #murderation #trills***'

And first to praise Rihanna, Lady Gaga also took to the micro-blogging site writing: 'what a lovely performance by @Rihanna! I feel like I'm sixteen again watching the VMAS, and then i remember i get to do this too. #socrazy'.

More than friends Rihanna and Chris Brown were seen sharing a kiss at the MTV VMA awards, as Rihanna exited the stage after collecting her award for Video Of The Year

As the night went on A$AP Rocky wasn't the only person who got close to Rihanna – enter ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

After collecting her Moonman for Video Of The Year, Rihanna, 24, was stopped byChris as he congratulated her.

The pair were seen kissing on the lips, before hugging tenderly, with Chris' arm looking slightly proprietorial around Rihanna's waist.

Still close: Chris held onto Rihanna's waist as she stood talking to singer Akon

Cuddling up: Rihanna looked thrilled to be congratulated after her win by Chris, who put his arm around the singer's waist as they hugged

Cheeky chappy! Rihanna was also seen patting Chris on the head as she made her way back to her seat

The images of Rihanna and Chris, 23, are sure to spark rumours among the singers' fans that the pair have decided to give their relationship another go.

And quite what Chris's girlfriend Karreuche Tran will think is another matter.

Getting in on the action, the Where Have You Been singer's BFF Katy Perry was pictured kissing her shoulder as they sat side by side during the ceremony.

In on the action: Katy Perry kissed Rihanna's shoulder as they sat in the front row at the ceremony

Getting a feel of a California Gurl: Rihanna placed her hand on Katy's bottom as they chatted away